How to make a beeswax candle. Do-it-yourself wax candles: a master class with video. Finished candle decoration
Beekeepers love to experiment and can make natural candles with their own hands. beeswax. This substance has unique properties. Candles from it turn out to be golden in color and, unlike artificial ones, smell pleasantly of honey and flowers. Candles made from beeswax burn for a long time, unlike paraffin candles. The product can be attributed to natural, environmentally friendly and flavored, which does not contain various additives. You can do it with your own hands different types candles.
Comparison of natural wax candles with paraffin
Paraffin has been popular for a long time. But they are very harmful when they burn, emit such carcinogenic substances as benzene, toluene, form soot. Because of this, a person often suffers from an allergic reaction, the respiratory tract is irritated. In industrial products, the wick has a lead stem, when it burns, it is released a large number of toxic vapor. The disadvantage is chemical additives, which are also harmful to health.
It is better to give preference to wax natural product, they can be made in different ways, using a foundation sheet, it must be rolled out. You can also do it by lowering the wick into wax, which melts until the desired shape comes out. The most commonly used method is pouring into molds.
Compliance with safety regulations in the manufacture of candles
- The wax needs to be melted, the optimum temperature is 70 degrees, if it is exceeded, foam may begin to form. This indicates that the wax is dehydrated. This produces high-quality candles that burn perfectly and do not crack. If the temperature is higher than 120 degrees, the wax may smoke. Higher than 200 degrees starts to burn. It is important in this situation to keep the temperature under control.
- You need to melt the product only on low heat, constantly stir it.
- It is forbidden to add water to the finished product, it will start to splash.
- In case of fire, use a fire extinguisher.
- Before working with the product, you need to carefully prepare, prepare all the means in case a fire suddenly occurs.
- It is best to melt in a water bath, heat it in an electric, gas stove must be constantly monitored.
- The inner and outer vessels should not touch, for this it is necessary to put river stones on the bottom, then add water when it begins to boil away.
- The room should be maintained at an optimal temperature, constantly ventilate it.
For work, you will need special equipment - a staff, clothes, gloves. You can’t rush when working, you can smear everything with wax. After you have used the dishes, do not wash them under the tap, the product may cause clogged drains.
When you have already prepared the substance, you need to put it in safe place, it is forbidden to put next to appliances, curtains, windows.
Preparing to make beeswax candles
- Select big table, cover with newspaper on top, remove carpets from the floor.
- Prepare special sticks on which you can put the forms, essential oils, crockery, tools.
- You need to crumble the product on an old cutting board, you can also put the melted product here.
- To melt the substance, you can use a slow cooker, a wax melter.
- There should be water nearby, because you will need to constantly add it. Some will need to be refrigerated. In the table you can see the forms for candles.
Table "Varieties of molds for making candles"
Tools and materials for making beeswax candles
- To grind the product you will need a hammer or screwdriver, a sharp knife.
- You need to cut the wick with scissors, also stock up on pieces.
- To level the base, you must use a turbo lighter.
To make beeswax candles you will need the following materials:
- bee product.
- It is important to choose a quality wick. It should be environmentally friendly, it should not include metal cores, twisted cotton threads.
- The thickness of the wick must be selected depending on what diameter your candle will have. If the candle has a large diameter, you need to choose a thick wick.
- Before pouring candles, the wick is impregnated with wax and dried thoroughly. It must be soaked in boric acid, a saline solution, so that a colored flame can be obtained.
Steps for making beeswax candles
- It is necessary to filter the wax, for this, take a piece of fabric from nylon. After the procedure, the filter will have to be thrown away, because it is clogged with wax, it is recommended to use a paper funnel that has a paint filter.
- Making clips for the wick. You can fix the wick in different ways, using clothespins, hair clips. It is necessary to take the wire, finely cut it up to 10 cm, then bend the pieces. The wick is placed in the middle, twisted with wire and stretched.
- Cooking Silicone forms for wax filling.
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Often the forms are already sold with slots, it is necessary to place a wick there, this must be done with extreme caution, it is impossible for the form to be divided in half. In the photo you can see how to do it right.
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The photo shows how the forms are fastened with rubber bands, this is necessary to protect the wax from flowing out. The seams on the walls of the form are not specially smeared, because the wax has a high viscosity and density. In the section of the form, the walls are combined. After you have fully assembled, you need to fasten the wick with a clip from the wire, pre-twist it, adjust the tension.
- We grind the wax. To do this, you need a hammer, a chisel, you need to carefully break everything so that the substance melts faster.
- Wax melting. It is important to ensure that the vessel with the water bath and the bottom does not interact. To do this, you need to pour wax into a thermal kettle, put pots of boiling water on top. When the wax melts, it will begin to settle, add water, just make sure that it does not get into the wax.
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- Filter the wax, for this you can use plastic bottle with nylon fabric.
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- Pour the wax into the molds to the brim. When the form is large, you need to pierce several holes in it, so there will be no void inside. Wait for the wax to cool for about 6 hours, do not cool it in a cold place, this can lead to cracks in the candles.
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- We take out the candles from the molds. First, the clip that was intended for the wick is removed. After you need to clean and trim the wick. After the candle has cooled, you need to remove the rubber bands and get the candle. See the photo for how to do it right.
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Benefits and uses of beeswax ear candles
Ear candles contain natural wax, essential oils. With an inflammatory process in the nasopharynx, throat, nose, it is necessary to use ear candles. They will also help to get rid of tinnitus, increased irritability and headache. Due to beeswax, sulfur plug can be removed.
It is advised to use ear candles at home, they can be used at high temperatures, they do not have side effects on the body. It is allowed to use ear candles only for adult children. You must first read the instructions.
Ear candles are one of the healing remedies, with the help of which you can relieve inflammation, pain, calm down, improve hearing. There must be ear candles at home.
The composition of the drug includes coniferous oils, beeswax.
It is important to use ear candles correctly:
- It is necessary to take 250 ml of water, 2 candles, ear sticks, a piece of polyethylene.
- Lie on your side, cover your hair with a towel.
- Apply tape to ear.
- Insert medicine into the ear vertically.
- Carefully set fire to the candle, when it burns down to a certain mark, you need to remove it from the ear area.
- Take a cotton swab and clean the ear of everything that has accumulated in it, the ears should be warm after the procedure, put on a hat.
- Similarly, the procedure is performed for the second ear.
It is easy to make beeswax candles on your own with your own hands, they will be distinguished by their safety and reliability. Beeswax ear candles are the best remedy to relieve the inflammatory process.
- Need candle wax? See how a do-it-yourself wax melter is made at home
- Wax melter, home-made
- 1. A little about the benefits
- 2. Possible types processing
- 3. What you need to know about wax and safety
- 4. Tools and everything you need
- 5. How to make the first candle
Together with honey, bees bring a little turmoil and pleasant troubles into our lives. Still, the apiary is work, time and attention. Often the presence of an apiary is so exciting that any creative beekeeper also becomes an artisan. Beeswax candles - what could be nicer on a chilly winter evening. They will make life brighter, saturate the air with summer aromas and warmth, and handmade ones will not only be an excellent gift for loved ones, but also a good reserve for the budget.
A little about the benefits
To convince the beekeeper of the benefits of his own products is perhaps unnecessary. However, not everyone knows why beeswax candles are preferable to, for example, paraffin ones. Last when burning:
- release carcinogens into the air;
- contribute to the formation of soot;
- due to industrial non-natural wicks, they can emit toxic fumes;
- when using dyes and flavors become a source of health problems.
Is it possible to compare all these side effects, which can cause not only allergies, but also more serious diseases, such as lungs and mucous membranes, with the possibility of using wax.
After all, when burning wax:
- soot is not formed;
- in the absence of additives, the candle burns for a long time and burns out completely, without residue;
- more than 50 essential compounds and substances are released into the air;
- we must not forget about the impurities of propolis in the composition of the crude wax: in this way it directly enters the lungs.
In addition, natural raw materials are a guarantee of interest from urban residents. Megacities and urbanization contribute to a huge interest in the origins. And such a craft has existed for as long as beekeeping.
Possible types of processing
In fact, there are several ways to make candles. Each of them is good in its own way and resonates with potential users:
- the lightest and practically does not require additional processing: a wax sheet is simply rolled around the wick. There are not so many opportunities for creativity, but this method is one of the oldest;
- to use the second, minimal heat treatment is required: the wick is dipped into a container with liquid wax, increasing the volume of the candle over and over again. It is clear that there is no question of the correspondence of the form to modern requirements - this is a purely utilitarian thing;
- casting into molds. Perhaps this method provides a lot of opportunities for the realization of ideas. Even if you pour the wax into a simple cylindrical shape and then cut out the designs, it will still be a molded candle.
Casting in molds has a huge reserve for a creative person: you can buy them any of your choice, or you can create them yourself.
What you need to know about wax and safety
Before embarking on the execution of the plan for your candle factory, you should familiarize yourself with physical properties wax:
- melts construction material from bee hives with an increase in temperature up to 60-70 degrees.
- At 100 degrees, you will understand whether there was water in the feedstock - it boils and forms a kind of foam.
- Wax foundation will begin to soar or smoke already at 120 degrees.
- At 204 degrees, you need to be extremely careful: its vapors ignite.
These are characteristics common to each type of raw material. Meanwhile, it is also different:
- technical or industrial. Actually, this is a mixture of wax with additions, sometimes they are paraffin, such raw materials have already undergone industrial processing;
- raw or bee has the most natural origin. It is obtained directly from honeycombs in wax melters or melting pots. It can be conditioned, provided that the bees did not have any diseases and excessive chemical treatments, or vice versa - substandard;
- bleached. This is a natural, natural building material of bees, only without the inevitable impurities in the composition. Otherwise, it is called cosmetic.
When working with him, there are rules that must be followed:
- The slower the wax heats up, the easier it is to work with. When heated, it is recommended to use water bath. This is the easiest way to regulate the temperature. The process needs constant monitoring: it is impossible to leave.
- It is necessary to completely exclude contact with water: it is dangerous. Hot wax will cause rapid evaporation and splashing of boiling water.
- Inflammable raw materials must be extinguished using dry methods: limiting air access.
- When working, avoid contact with open fire: an accidental drop is fraught with fire.
It would not be superfluous to recall that children and animals in working area entry is prohibited. So you create the risk of injury for them with your own hands.
Tools and everything you need
In addition to wax, you need to stock up on some inventory. At first, ordinary dishes and utensils found in the house are enough, and then, perhaps, you will need your own workplace. So, you need:
- gloves, sleeves and an apron - it is unlikely that you will never be able to drip on clothes;
- a table, constant access to water, a stove for heating and a hair dryer for leveling surfaces;
- cutting board, hammer, knives and chisel for grinding wax, wick scissors;
- two containers for a water bath: a large diameter for water, pebbles are laid out on its bottom, or a metal stand for hot, and a saucepan of a smaller diameter is placed on top for melting wax. It must be either enameled or ceramic: otherwise the wax darkens;
- napkins. Preferably paper, not textile, there should be a lot of them. At first, without skill, they help out well;
- nylon for filtering;
- natural wick: 1 to 4 mm. The choice is proportional to the diameter of the future candle;
- wire for fixing the wick.
And most importantly: forms. They are aluminum, polycarbonate and polyurethane. The first two materials provide reusable use, heat resistance, but are inelastic, which means they do not leave much room for creativity. The latter assumes safe use when temperature regime up to 80 degrees, then it becomes toxic.
The most common are silicone. They include accessibility and huge selection, high temperature of use (up to 200 degrees), elasticity and even under the condition of fragility will help to make up to 200 candles. In the future, it can even be made by hand. There is a trick to using any detachable form - you need elastic bands: while the wax hardens, the halves must be tightly fixed.
How to make your first candle
You must immediately warn: the first may not become a candle in the truest sense of the word. You may not have enough patience or skill, but you need to prepare for the fact that you will have to redo it and not give up if you fail.
The process can be represented as several stages. Their sequence in the future depends on your experience:
- Preparing the mold and filling the wick. For this, there is a hole in the bottom - the future wick is filled into it. If it is much smaller in diameter, then you can use a small piece of a toothpick - so there will definitely not be a leak of wax. Then the form is tightly fixed in several places with rubber bands. And the end of the wick is brought out right in the center of the form and fixed there with a loop of wire.
- Preparation of wax: it must be crushed. If the volume of the mold, for example, is 1 cup, then approximately 250 g of wax will be needed. It is easy to determine - it is enough to first measure the volume of the form with water, its ratio to wax is almost the same. The required volume of wax can be immediately placed in a water bath and started heating, or you can add it as it melts.
- When the water in the lower pan boils, you can begin the process of casting into molds. True, if the wax is unrefined, then it can first be drained through nylon into a separate container and only pour molds from it. If filtration is required, the process must be fast so that the wax does not clump.
- When the forms are filled along the edges, after 10-15 minutes it is necessary to make several control punctures to the bottom of the form with a knitting needle or a wooden stick and these voids are filled additionally.
Wax cools quickly, but you should not rush the process. Soft and plastic, it may simply not take shape. Therefore, it will be possible to get candles from beeswax after 2-6 hours, depending on the volume of the workpiece.
DIY wax candles
Actually, the bulk of the work has been completed, it remains only to bring the candle to an acceptable form:
- It is carefully removed, separating the halves of the form in different directions. To do this, remove the rubber bands and wire.
- Completely cut off the wick from the base.
- Align the base above the hair dryer or at the bottom of the water bath.
- Leave the wick itself on top about 1 cm long. For convenience and beauty, it can be dipped in wax.
That's the whole process of making a great gift with your own hands. Who knows, perhaps this is the beginning of a new era in the life of a beekeeper and a candle factory will appear next to some apiary.
Per last years the manufacture of candles from mass production slowly migrated to the home workshops of needlewomen, turning into a creative activity.
Candles, which some century ago were not only the main source of light, but also a kind of indicator of family well-being, used in wealthy homes instead of a smoking torch, have long lost their original meaning. Today, it is important to make candles with your own hands at home in order to use them in a completely different way - as an element of exquisite decor and an invariable attribute of creating a romantic mood.
Making decorative candles as a hobby
Thanks to simple technology creation and great choice materials for work and decoration, now every craftswoman can open a miniature “candle factory” at home, which will not only bring pleasure from creativity, but can also become an additional source of profit.
The advantage of this type of hobby is that the activity is simple, not boring, and a beautiful result can be obtained quite quickly. For these reasons, making candles at home will appeal to needlewomen of all ages, both venerable and not yet very experienced.
What is needed for creativity
The best part is that to get started you need minimum set materials:
- candle gel, wax or paraffin;
- wick or cotton threads without synthetic impurities for its manufacture;
- form for pouring a candle;
- elements for decoration.
Wax or paraffin can be used from ordinary household candles, but it will not be difficult to remove the finished wick from them. Candle gel is also easy to make with your own hands. Instead of an expensive form, you can take any suitable refractory container - a beautiful cup, jar, tin box. In a word, starting a new hobby will not be very expensive. We can say that this is one of the.
Based on the main material used to make candles, two basic technologies are distinguished - wax and gel, which are similar in many respects, but, nevertheless, have their own nuances in work.
The secrets of making candles from wax or paraffin
In the process of creating a product from wax, the most important moment is the melting of the material. Here you will need good skill and speed of action, since melted wax or paraffin cools quickly, besides, it is very hot and can easily burn.
Also, before making a candle with your own hands, it is important to choose the right thickness of the wick: if you make it too thick, the candle will melt and smoke too much, and a very thin one will constantly go out. The twisting density of the wick also plays an important role - for wax and paraffin candles, the threads must be twisted slightly loosely so that the flame does not go out.
There is no universal advice here - the optimal thickness and density of twisting threads for the wick will have to be displayed only on personal experience, the method of trials and experiments. Each master develops his own formula and secret over time. successful work.
DIY gel candles
To make beautiful transparent candles that do not emit any smell or smoke, you can use ready-made gel wax, or you can cook consumable on one's own. In the latter case, you need to purchase ingredients such as glycerin, tannin, gelatin, distilled water and mix them, boil over low heat until the liquid has completely evaporated.
This technology is somewhat more complicated than wax, but the result is worth the effort - the products are very elegant and unique. During cooking, the mixture may become cloudy, but this is a temporary phenomenon that disappears immediately after the gel cools down.
The gel opens up a lot of different possibilities for decorating. For example, shells, pebbles, starfish, dried citrus fruits or flowers filled with transparent wax look very beautiful. In this way, women who are looking for can make candles with their own hands at home, since they do not stand out during work harmful substances.
Making scented candles at home
Separately, it is worth mentioning aroma candles - they are also easy to make at home. The advantage of home-made scented candles is that you can be 100% sure that the scented components are environmentally friendly and harmless.
Why learn to make candles
Designers and decorators often use beautiful interior candles to create false fireplaces in houses and apartments. They can also be a good gift or a romantic souvenir, so if you learn how to make a high-quality and original product, then it’s quite possible to make good money on your favorite hobby.
Especially if on the eve of major generally recognized holidays, products with thematic design are made. Handmade products can also be offered to restaurant owners who often use candles to create an intimate atmosphere in the restaurant in the evening or to give a special festive atmosphere.
Step-by-step master classes with photos
To help those who are just trying their hand at creating "home fires", we have prepared unique master classes with step by step photos. Detailed Instructions will help you to delve into the intricacies of craftsmanship and master difficult moments.
Handmade is gaining more and more popularity. Extravagant jewelry, paintings, toys, decorative elements, gifts - this is only a small part of what enthusiastic craftsmen and amateurs create with their own hands. Today we will talk about how to make a candle at home.
This process does not require special skills and equipment. After reviewing our recommendations and detailed master classes, even beginners can start this exciting process.
CREATING A CANDLE: WHERE TO START
DIY candles are much easier to make than you might think. And the main advantage of such an activity is necessary materials easy to get. If you look carefully, you will find them even in your home.
MATERIALS FOR HOMEMADE CANDLE
Wax, stearin or paraffin are best suited for work. Moreover, it is better for beginners to start acquaintance with the latter, it is the least whimsical to use. You can purchase paraffin wax from the store or use the leftovers of old white candles.
WICK
As a wick, it is best to use natural threads, ideally thick cotton threads. Do not try to use synthetics: such a wick will quickly burn out and leave behind bad smell. To test the thread for naturalness, simply set fire to its tip. If it melts, forming a solid ball at the end, you have synthetics in front of you.
If you have conceived an unusual candle and are thinking how to make an original wick for it, then use colored floss threads. This is a great and natural material.
Remember important rule: The thicker the candle, the thicker the wick should be.
It's easy to make your own. To do this, prepare a solution: in a glass of water, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons boric acid. Soak cotton thread or floss in it for 12 hours. Then dry them and twist a tourniquet out of them or braid a pigtail.
If this process seems tedious to you, carefully remove the wick from the finished household candle and use it.
CANDLE MOLD
First of all decide on the configuration of the desired candle, and then try to find a hollow object of the same shape. You may find it useful:
Cardboard packages from milk and juices;
. plastic cups from yogurts and desserts;
. egg shell;
. silicone molds for baking;
. glass goblets, wine glasses, glasses and glasses;
. children's pastries;
. figured forms for ice cream;
. tin and glass coffee jars;
. empty cans.
The only requirement is that the mold material must withstand heating up to 100°C.
Another interesting option- pour candles into beautiful transparent glasses. They will not be available, but they will look very stylish and unusual.
Sometimes scented candles are made in tangerine or orange peel. The fruit is pre-cut in half and the pulp is carefully removed. You can also use large shells or coconut shells.
DYES
A white candle is elegant but boring. Naturally, the question arises of how to color the paraffin in order to get bright interior decorations.
For lovers of candle making, it is best and cheapest to take wax crayons for children's creativity. Would you like to receive a special candle? Look for mother-of-pearl crayons - your creation will be unique.
Do not try to use water-soluble gouache or watercolor - you are in for a fiasco. The dye will inevitably settle to the bottom or fall out in flakes. The finished product will look very unpresentable.
WARE FOR MELTING PARAFFIN
In order to melt the paraffin, you will need a small saucepan for a steam bath and an iron bowl. Experienced craftsmen recommend heating paraffin in a steam bath, considering other methods, including a microwave oven, to be fire hazardous.
We recommend that you first also use this method, proven over the years: place a bowl of paraffin in a container of boiling water. If the candle is planned to be colored, add the chalk immediately and mix the melted mass several times to obtain a uniform color.
FRAGRANTS AND DECOR
Any materials at hand are suitable for decorating candles. First, decide on the topic of your work. Pebbles and shells will effectively complement the candles in nautical style. For the New Year theme, use beads, small cones, small decorative balls, ribbons and bows. Decorate candles for Valentine's Day with hearts, sequins, bows, dried flowers, coffee beans, etc.
It is best to scent homemade candles with essential oils, which can be purchased at the nearest pharmacy. Another option is to find vanilla cinnamon in your kitchen. It is worth adding flavors to melted paraffin at the very end, after staining.
STEP-BY-STEP WORKSHOPS
We bring to your attention a selection of available master classes that will help beginners learn the basic techniques and techniques of work. If you already know how to create candles with your own hands, you can draw interesting ideas from them for implementation in your work.
We invite you to create heart-shaped candles that will be an unforgettable gift for your soulmate for Valentine's Day or a birthday.
Watch the detailed video of creating a fragrant coffee candle and you will see that everything is even simpler than it seems at first glance.
RAINBOW CANDLES
Want to add to your home bright colors? Interior rainbow candles will help you with this. self made.
To make them you will need the following ingredients:
. paraffin;
. stearin;
. wick;
. cylindrical shape;
. dyes corresponding to the colors of the rainbow.
You will get more detailed information from the detailed video tutorial. For beginners, it shows all the stages of preparing a candle mass and creating a gradient transition of colors.
MULTI-COLORED CANDLES IN LAYERS
Spectacular multi-colored candles in a transparent glass will be the highlight of your interior. How to make them, see our master class, illustrated with step-by-step photos.
materials
Before you make colored candles with your own hands, prepare:
Clear wax;
wax pencils;
disposable paper cups;
glass cups;
wicks;
ice cream sticks;
aroma oils;
microwave oven;
grater.
Step 1. Grate ordinary transparent wax and fill paper cups with the resulting material. You only need to fill them with this material by a quarter.
Step 2 Microwave the cup for 45 seconds. Get it out. Stir the wax with a wooden stick. It should melt completely, if this does not happen, send the glass to the oven for another 30 seconds.
Step 3. Dip a wick into an empty glass cup. You can attach its other end to an ice cream stick and put it on top of the cup. This will make it easier for you to keep working. Pour some wax into a glass and wait for it to set. Thus, the wick should be fixed in the center of the cup.
Step 4 Remove the paper wrapper from the wax crayons. Grate them and add the desired color of crayons to separate cups with wax. For a third of a glass of wax, add shavings of one pencil to get a sufficiently saturated color.
Step 5. Send a glass of colored wax to the microwave for 2.5 minutes. Take it out and while stirring, add a few drops of the chosen aromatic oil. You don't have to, but with oil, your candles will give off a pleasant aroma.
Step 6. While holding the wick, pour the first layer of colored wax into the cup. To get an interesting pattern, tilt the cup at an angle and hold it in that position until the wax sets.
Step 7. Melt cups with wax of a different color in the same way and also, but at the opposite angle, pour them one by one into a glass cup. Each time, fix the container in different positions until the wax sets.
Step 8. Having formed a multi-colored candle, let the wax cool completely.
Bright and unusual candles are ready. You can use them for their intended purpose or give them to friends as souvenirs.
SOURCE: http://www.rukikryki.ru/
Another one interesting idea- square multi-colored candle. Wax pencils are also used for its coloring. If you are a beginner, be sure to check out the clear video tutorial, with its help you can easily make such cool craft for gifts to friends and family.
OPENWORK CANDLES
Decorative candles can be of the most varied design, because talented craftsmen never tire of impressing with their imagination and creative experiments. In support of these words, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the method of making an unusual openwork candle.
For work you will need:
. paraffin;
. optional coloring and flavoring;
. wick and holder for it;
. cylindrical shape;
. small ice cubes.
Melt the paraffin in a water bath. If the candle is supposed to be colored, color the candle mass, if you wish, you can also scent it.
Set the wick in the mold so that it reaches the bottom of the mold. Do not forget to fix it on top of an impromptu holder. Pour in crushed ice, not reaching a couple of centimeters from the edges.
Pour the melted candle mass into the mold. Leave the workpiece until the paraffin has completely cooled. In this case, naturally, the ice will melt, and cavities will form inside the candle.
Carefully drain the water and remove the product by pulling on the wick.
Be careful, this beauty is quite fragile and requires careful handling. Such an unusual openwork candle will be a wonderful present for your family and friends. If you use paraffin from old candles for work, get this beauty for free.
You will receive visual instructions for action from detailed videos creating openwork candles. After viewing them, you can independently make such beauty at home.
Video #1:
Video #2:
Option number 3: And if you are thinking about what to give friends for New Year then surprise them with a handmade red openwork candle. It will be an unforgettable gift and will bring into the house a sense of celebration along with the Christmas mood. See the work of the master and be inspired by your own masterpieces.
MASSAGE CANDLES
The main ingredient for creating a massage candle is soy wax. By adding useful components to it, you can get a product that has healing properties. It no longer acts as a decor, but as a home cosmetic which makes the skin soft and well-groomed.
Healing properties of essential oils:
Lemon essential oil will help rejuvenate the skin and cleanse the pores.
. Orange oil has an anti-cellulite effect.
. Rose oil stimulates the regeneration of skin cells and promotes skin elasticity.
. Rosemary oil can clear the skin of age spots and make it smooth.
. Patchouli oil is great for moisturizing.
. Lavender oil will delight you with its healing effect.
Still in massage candles add solid vegetable oils. For example, cocoa butter is used to moisturize and tone the skin. And with its regular use, cosmetologists promise you smooth and delicate skin.
Exotic shea butter can save dry skin from peeling. Coconut oil, rich in natural antioxidants, can smooth the skin.
The general algorithm for creating a massage candle:
1. melt the wax with hard oils in a water bath;
2. let the mass cool down a little and add liquid oils;
3. cool the mass a little more and add essential oils, extracts and vitamins;
4. pour the resulting candle mass into the mold, after inserting the wick into it;
5. wait for the candle to harden completely and remove it from the mold;
6. The hardened candle is ready for use.
We offer you the most common recipes for effective massage candles.
Recipe #1
Soy wax - 85%;
. avocado and shea butter (aka shea butter) - 5% each;
. patchouli essential oil - 2.8%;
. essential oil of ylang-ylang - 2%;
. vitamin E - 0.2% (a few drops).
Light the finished candle and let it melt a little. Put it out. Put some warm wax on your hand and you can arrange a rejuvenating massage session. Do not be afraid to burn yourself - the melting point of such a candle is much lower than that of paraffin.
Recipe number 2 "Massage candle with a calming effect"
Soy wax - 80g;
. shea butter - 40g;
. almond oil- 40g;
. cocoa butter - 20g;
. essential oils of sage and lavender - 2 g each.
A massage session of such candles is best arranged before going to bed. The calming effect of essential oils will help you relax and fall asleep soundly.
Recipe number 3 "Massage candle with anti-cellulite effect"
Beeswax - 100g;
. cocoa butter - 60g;
. ground chili pepper - 5-10g;
. essential oils of orange and grapefruit - 3 g each.
Make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in the suppository. After the massage, you may feel a burning or tingling sensation, which is associated with the presence of chili in the composition.
Regular massage will help get rid of the hated “orange peel”, make the skin soft and supple.
WE DECORATE CANDLES USING DECOUPAGE TECHNIQUE
If you do not have a dye, but you want to create something bright and memorable, do not be discouraged. The simplest candle made from cinder can be turned into a work of art. To do this, you need to have a little patience and decorate the product to your liking.
CANDLE DECORATED WITH DRIED FLOWERS
Dried leaves, stems and flowers will help you create an exclusive candle, which will be almost impossible to repeat. Usage natural materials limited only by the local flora and your imagination. That's when the ability to collect a herbarium will come in handy in full.
*photo by Lyudmila Klimova
For work you will need:
. any dried flowers;
. 2 candles - for decoration and ordinary;
. tea spoon;
. tweezers;
. nail scissors;
. paraffin for final coverage.
From the dried flowers you have available, compose the composition that you want to bring to life.
Heat a teaspoon over an ordinary burning candle (with the inside over the fire, because the spoon will blacken a little, and in order not to stain the candle, then we will carry out all the manipulations with the other side of the spoon).
Attach a dry flower to the candle to be decorated and gently iron its petals with the outside of the spoon so that they melt to the paraffin and do not stick out. Thick stems may need to be ironed several times while heating the spoon.
Excess stems that extend beyond the candle, carefully cut with scissors.
Glue the rest of the elements in the same way, choosing the desired location for them. Make sure that the edges of the leaves and petals do not stick out.
It remains to fix the result. Melt the paraffin in a water bath, pour it into a container into which you can completely dip the decorated candle.
Holding the candle by the wick, dip it into the melted paraffin, set it on a flat surface and let it cool. If the petals were not smoothed well and protruding tips remained visible, repeat this procedure again.
Such an elegant candle will conquer any heart and will not be left without attention. Complete it with a beautiful candlestick and it will become a unique decoration of your home.
DECOUPAGE OF CANDLES WITH PAPER TILES
The desire to decorate a candle could come instantly, but there are no dried flowers at hand. In this case, you can do with paper napkins. With their help, you can easily decorate a candle for any holiday.
Choose a napkin with the pattern you want. Cut out the desired elements from the napkin. Carefully remove the two bottom layers of paper from the resulting blanks. Further, the principle of operation is similar to decorating with dried flowers.
Attach the prepared element to the candle and iron it with a hot spoon. Sand the cooled surface with the rough side of a regular kitchen sponge. It is not necessary to immerse the candle in melted paraffin with this method.
Your masterpiece is ready. Make up beautiful composition from candles in the New Year's style, fir branches and colored balls. It will bring good mood and holiday atmosphere to your home.
PHOTO-DESIGN IDEAS
Want more more ideas for inspiration. Browse our selection decorative candles. You are sure to find one that you want to repeat immediately.
We were able to convince you that it is possible to create unique masterpieces even from improvised materials? That is why candle making has become a favorite pastime for many beginners and not only masters.
Original form templates:
Now you know what candles are made of and how, you can get to work. Do not try to use the photo you like as a template and an unconditional ideal. Get inspired by ready-made works to create your own unique candles. A little diligence and perseverance - and already your masterpieces will be the standard to follow.
Holiday table decoration, interior parts, a lifesaver in case of a sudden power outage, a nice gift for loved ones. What's this? Candles made by hand!
Yes, there is such an activity. Moreover, those who are fond of such a hobby get incredible aesthetic pleasure from this.
You can look endlessly at the photo of candles made by yourself ...
What you need is at your fingertips
Anyone can make candles. What will be needed?
Wax
Sometimes it can be successfully replaced with paraffin. The difference between them is that wax, due to its naturalness, does not emit soot, while paraffin, when completely burned, smokes.
These are simple materials, the acquisition of which is not difficult. You can find them in any needlework store or, in extreme cases, melt a ready-made candle, the cost of which is quite low.
Wick
There are also two options here: take it out of an unnecessary candle or make it from cotton-based threads. Twisting them strongly is not recommended - the flame may go out.
It is also worth considering that a wick that is too thick will cause the candle to melt faster, while releasing a lot of smoke.
The length of the wick is determined by the size of the candle plus a small length for easy lighting.
mold
A hollow container made of any material. The only thing: the edges of the form should be straight and not tapered.
Handy materials are:
- Saucepan and metal utensils for a water bath;
- A stick or any long thin object (pen, match) to fix the wick.
Making a candle
Having prepared all the necessary materials, you can start creating. A detailed master class will show how to make candles with your own hands quickly and beautifully.
Lower the wick into the prepared mold for the future candle, fix one end of it on a stick, and place it on the container.
Paraffin or wax grind and melt in a water bath. The fire should be small, and the process must be observed, and in order to avoid lumps, constantly stir the mixture.
It should be borne in mind that the temperature of the molten material is quite high, so it should be handled with care.
Pour a little melted paraffin (wax) into the mold with the prepared wick. Place the tip of the cotton thread in the middle, and let the material harden a little.
Wax has the ability to quickly cool, so you need to work with it quickly.
Note!
Fill the form with the remaining melted material to the required level.
Wait for the candle to harden and cut off the excess part of the wick. It is recommended that this be done at least 24 hours later.
It remains only to remove the candle from the container. For ease of removal and to avoid damage, the form must be sent to the freezer for half a minute or lowered into hot water.
You can light a finished candle only a day after the end of its manufacture. During this time, it will have time to completely freeze, which will favorably affect its operation.
Candle colors
You can make candles at home not only in the main (white) colors, but also in absolutely any shade.
In order to color a wax work, paints cannot be used. Oily or acrylic, they will not fulfill their purpose, but will only stick together in molten paraffin, turning into unattractive colored flakes.
Note!
Wax pencils will help to give the desired shade. They are perfectly mixed with the selected material by adding small pieces directly during the melting process.
Using several pencils, you can create a real rainbow of shades by gradually pouring paraffin of various colors into the mold.
aromatherapy
When making wax products, it is only painted, but also forced to give aroma. The fragrance of a burning candle can create an atmosphere of peace and comfort, as well as energize or, conversely, relax.
In order to make a beautiful candle that will please the eye and smell, you will need essential oils. They are in great abundance blown in any pharmacy or cosmetic store.
A few drops of oil will give the future candle a unique aroma.
Note!
When choosing a smell, you need to focus on the purpose or color of the wax miracle:
- relaxation will give lavender oil, and a candle, in this case it is better to paint it in a light purple color;
- Bergamot can also relax - the green color of the candle is suitable for this;
- an orange can improve your mood - a bright orange tint will complement the effect;
- ylang-ylang will set you in an intimate mood - lilac or pink color candles will just be in place.
Wax art
Decorating candles belongs to the real top of wax craftsmanship.
You can decorate a candle in various ways:
- Natural materials - pebbles, shells, twigs and others. Basically, they are placed at the bottom of the mold before adding the molten paraffin.
- Food products - coffee beans and dried fruits. Such materials can be placed throughout the entire volume of the form, pouring wax gradually and giving it the opportunity to fix the decoration.
- Decoupage. The technique has been known for a long time and has been successfully used in the manufacture of candles. A colored pattern from a napkin is placed on the surface and fixed with glue designed specifically for candles. This fixation protects the paper from burning.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the carved decoration of candles. Not everyone can do this - it will take perseverance and accuracy, but the result exceeds all expectations.
For cutting you will need: a clerical knife, paper and a pen. Wrapping the candle with paper, determine the size of the future drawing, cut off the excess. A pattern is applied to the remaining rectangle.
Paper is wrapped around the candle again and secured with tape. Carefully acting, the knife circles the pattern along the contour, and then cut out the excess layers of wax.
You can use these candles at a wedding, to decorate the table or just for the interior.
Transparent candles
You can make completely transparent candles using a special gel.
The advantages of such material are:
- lack of smoke, odors and soot;
- transparency (for beauty and decoration);
- the possibility of self-cooking.
How is the gel prepared? Glycerin, gelatin and tannin are mixed in equal amounts, the same amount of water is added to them, all this must be put on a small fire and boiled until the liquid evaporates.
The gel may be cloudy at first, but will become clear as it cools.
Working with gel is not much different from using wax, but there is still a slight difference:
- after the candle hardens, it cannot be removed from the mold, so it is better to use a glass and transparent container;
- before the process of adding the gel, the form should be slightly warmed up - this will protect against the appearance of air bubbles in the candle.
You can color, scent and decorate a gel candle in the same way as any other.
Knowing how to make candles on your own, you can always have a wonderful table decoration at hand, an exclusive gift for friends and relatives, as well as use your creations in the interior.